Gubernatorial debate in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids, MI – Five Michigan gubernatorial candidates met Friday in Grand Rapids for their first debate in 2010. They discussed, among other things, what would be their first order of business as governor, how they would reform Michigan's tax structure, and whether the Michigan Promise Scholarship should be reinstated. Oakland County Sherriff Mike Bouchard was the only Republican candidate who said he would find the money in the budget to fund the college scholarship. Bouchard was joined by fellow GOP candidates state Senator Tom George, Congressman Pete Hoekstra and businessman Rick Snyder, as well as Democratic state Representative Alma Wheeler Smith. Smith said she would generate revenue for the Promise scholarship through new revenue from an income tax hike and by expanding the sales tax to services. The other candidates said they would have never made a promise the state could not keep.